Causes and Solutions for Children with Down syndrome: A Literature Review
The general consensus of the conversation on health in children with Down syndrome (DS) is that obesity is caused by a lack of physical activity and nutritional deficiencies. The significance of this wide-spread health dilemma is fairly self-evident among the researchers reviewed here; understanding obesity’s various causes in children with DS enables nutritionists to develop better treatments. Treatment is necessary because children with DS potentially already have impaired motor skills and intellectual disabilities prohibiting proper eating and physical activity participation. Being overweight creates additional health concerns and higher chronic disease risks. By understanding decreased physical activity to be a major cause of obesity in children with DS, nutritionists can determine the best intervention methods to break down children’s environmental and physical barriers. In this literary review, the paragraphs are organized thematically to more clearly illustrate obesity’s causes and subsequent intervention methods that have been considered.
A prevalent view in the nutrition field, that obesity in children with DS results from impaired motor skills causing nutritional deficiencies, is held by Gibson et al in their assessment of young Special Olympics athletes (Gibson, Temple, Anholt, and Gaul 267-268). Contrary to a similar view that DS children’s impaired motor skills prevent participation in physical activities, Whitt-Glover et al’s study demonstrates that siblings with and without DS are equally able to engage in physical activities. (Whitt-Glover, O’Neill, and Stettler 163). This study supports the findings of Fleming et al’s study that inactivity and obesity result from the environments, influenced by parents, the media, and national food habits, in which children with DS live (Fleming, Stokes, Hamad, et al 289). Similarly, Rimmer observes that the environment of American society is “obesogenic”, causing children with DS to consume easily accessible, high-calorie foods (Rimmer 1).
Each article is generally in consensus with Luke et al’s conclusion that physical activity combined with nutrition health promotion is the most effective intervention for disabled individuals with obesity (Luke, Sutton, Schoeller, Roizen 1266-1267). This approach not only directly treats and prevents obesity, but indirectly leads to greater community engagement and improved life satisfaction (Heller, McCubbin, Drum, and Peterson 27). Similarly, Mendonca et al emphasize the importance of early intervention to extend improved life satisfaction and social acceptance (Mendonca, Pereira, and Fernhall 602). While these articles’ main arguments focus around the idea that increasing inclusion in physical activities is beneficial to children with and without DS, Block and Zeman highlight a distinction between planned and unplanned inclusion. Including children with disabilities is beneficial to improving motor skills only when inclusion is well planned (Block and Zeman 46).
In summary, the prevalence of obesity in children with DS is a major health concern that requires immediate intervention. Treating the poor exercise and nutritional practices of children with DS can lead to greater life satisfaction and community engagement. While all of the reviewed articles recognize the causes of obesity and general best intervention methods, there is a lack of specific intervention implementation plans. I will be able to use the established research to develop a potential way to combine healthy eating and increased physical activity into a weight management program for children with DS.
A prevalent view in the nutrition field, that obesity in children with DS results from impaired motor skills causing nutritional deficiencies, is held by Gibson et al in their assessment of young Special Olympics athletes (Gibson, Temple, Anholt, and Gaul 267-268). Contrary to a similar view that DS children’s impaired motor skills prevent participation in physical activities, Whitt-Glover et al’s study demonstrates that siblings with and without DS are equally able to engage in physical activities. (Whitt-Glover, O’Neill, and Stettler 163). This study supports the findings of Fleming et al’s study that inactivity and obesity result from the environments, influenced by parents, the media, and national food habits, in which children with DS live (Fleming, Stokes, Hamad, et al 289). Similarly, Rimmer observes that the environment of American society is “obesogenic”, causing children with DS to consume easily accessible, high-calorie foods (Rimmer 1).
Each article is generally in consensus with Luke et al’s conclusion that physical activity combined with nutrition health promotion is the most effective intervention for disabled individuals with obesity (Luke, Sutton, Schoeller, Roizen 1266-1267). This approach not only directly treats and prevents obesity, but indirectly leads to greater community engagement and improved life satisfaction (Heller, McCubbin, Drum, and Peterson 27). Similarly, Mendonca et al emphasize the importance of early intervention to extend improved life satisfaction and social acceptance (Mendonca, Pereira, and Fernhall 602). While these articles’ main arguments focus around the idea that increasing inclusion in physical activities is beneficial to children with and without DS, Block and Zeman highlight a distinction between planned and unplanned inclusion. Including children with disabilities is beneficial to improving motor skills only when inclusion is well planned (Block and Zeman 46).
In summary, the prevalence of obesity in children with DS is a major health concern that requires immediate intervention. Treating the poor exercise and nutritional practices of children with DS can lead to greater life satisfaction and community engagement. While all of the reviewed articles recognize the causes of obesity and general best intervention methods, there is a lack of specific intervention implementation plans. I will be able to use the established research to develop a potential way to combine healthy eating and increased physical activity into a weight management program for children with DS.
Works Cited:
Block, Martin E., and Zeman, Ron. “Including Students With Disabilities In Regular Physical Education: Effects on Nondisabled Children.” Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 13.1 (1996). 38-49. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Fleming, R., Stokes, E., Hamad, C., et al. “Behavioral Health in Developmental Disabilities: A Comprehensive Program of Nutrition, Exercise, and Weight Reduction.” International Journal of Behavioral Consultation & Therapy. July 2008. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Gibson, J., Temple, V., Anholt, J., and Gaul, C. “Nutrition needs assessment of young Special Olympics participants.” Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability. Dec. 2011. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Heller, Tamar, McCubbin, Jeffrey A., Drum, Charles, and Peterson, Jana. “Physical Activity and Nutrition Health Promotion Interventions: What is Working for People With Intellectual Disabilities?” American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. 49.1 (2011). 26-36. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Luke, Amy, Sutton, Marjorie, Schoeller, Dale A, and Roizen, Nancy JM. “Nutrient Intake and Obesity in Prepubescent Children with Down Syndrome.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Dec. 1996: 1262-1267. Science Direct. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Mendonca, Goncalo V., Pereira, Fernando D., and Fernhall, Bo. “Reduced exercise capacity in persons with Down syndrome: cause, effect, and management.” Theraputics and Clinical Risk Management. Dec. 2010. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Rimmer, James H. “Obesity is a Major Concern for Youth and Adults with Disabilities.” National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability. 6.10 (2007). 3. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Whitt-Glover, M., O’Neill, K., and Stettler, N. “Physical activity patterns in children with and without Down syndrome.” Pediatric Rehabilitation. Apr. 2009. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Block, Martin E., and Zeman, Ron. “Including Students With Disabilities In Regular Physical Education: Effects on Nondisabled Children.” Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 13.1 (1996). 38-49. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Fleming, R., Stokes, E., Hamad, C., et al. “Behavioral Health in Developmental Disabilities: A Comprehensive Program of Nutrition, Exercise, and Weight Reduction.” International Journal of Behavioral Consultation & Therapy. July 2008. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Gibson, J., Temple, V., Anholt, J., and Gaul, C. “Nutrition needs assessment of young Special Olympics participants.” Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability. Dec. 2011. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Heller, Tamar, McCubbin, Jeffrey A., Drum, Charles, and Peterson, Jana. “Physical Activity and Nutrition Health Promotion Interventions: What is Working for People With Intellectual Disabilities?” American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. 49.1 (2011). 26-36. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Luke, Amy, Sutton, Marjorie, Schoeller, Dale A, and Roizen, Nancy JM. “Nutrient Intake and Obesity in Prepubescent Children with Down Syndrome.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Dec. 1996: 1262-1267. Science Direct. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Mendonca, Goncalo V., Pereira, Fernando D., and Fernhall, Bo. “Reduced exercise capacity in persons with Down syndrome: cause, effect, and management.” Theraputics and Clinical Risk Management. Dec. 2010. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Rimmer, James H. “Obesity is a Major Concern for Youth and Adults with Disabilities.” National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability. 6.10 (2007). 3. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Whitt-Glover, M., O’Neill, K., and Stettler, N. “Physical activity patterns in children with and without Down syndrome.” Pediatric Rehabilitation. Apr. 2009. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.